GEORGIA: Hate Bill Hits Roadblock

The Georgia House was supposed to hear an Arizona-style hate bill today, but it was put off until tomorrow and now that's been canceled. The House version of the bill might be dead for the current legislative session.

Critics of House Bill 1023, or The Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, say it would allow private business owners to cite their religious beliefs as a reason to deny service to gay customers. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee. After two packed subcommittee meetings in recent weeks, Judiciary Chair Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, says more vetting is needed on the bill. He says it likely won’t make Monday's Crossover Day deadline, the date in which legislation must be approved by at least one chamber to remain alive. “Can’t see it happening. It came in rather late in the session. Too many proponents and opponents,” said Willard.

The Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee approved their version of the bill on Friday. The full state Senate has until Monday to vote in order to keep the bill alive. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the chamber by 38-18.